why should broad be in the first XI ahead of bresnan who was phenomenal in the Ashes and whose overall record is superior to that of Broad?

btw Are you on CMS?if yes then plz start posting over there coz its far more active than this forum.

Well the first team is the first team - Im loving most of the second XI - it all depends on match situations - Im a believer in Bopara - but not at No 3 in Test situations - needs to be 5 or 6 - great opening pair - just a good all round team really - I take my hat off to naming the thirds - I would of struggled.

Where is Onions - could he of covered for Anderson in the last test???

In the first team - as of now - I would have no issue with Bopara or morgan playing 6 - I would drop KP down to 5 - If I could think of a replacement - I would drop him all together

In the seconds - well if Bopara plays in the firsts I have no idea who would bat at 3 - the team looks a touch bowling heavy - I would have another batsmen in (dont know who sorry) for Patel and I would probably play Treadwell over Briggs (im assuming Patel is in as an all rounder but like I say - and possibly Onions over Shazhad.

All said - I bow down to your player knowledge - and Im making change for conversation

Rashid ahead of Briggs anyday. Also whats happened to Monty? Not even in 3rd team?

Monty has well slipped down the ladder.
Briggs is ok but doesn't spin it enough for test cricket.

Alright Ginger. Isnt Monty still England's 2nd spin option? Thats what Nasser and Atherton seem to think so when they were debating the other day.

Hi kash
He could be according to some?
Rashid's name thanks to his batting seems to come up more often when discussing spin options.

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Bell
Taylor
Prior wk
Broad
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson

Cover

Morgan, Bairstow wk, Finn, Dernbach, Rashid.

2nd

Hales
Wells
Hildreth
Stokes
Vince
Patel
Kieswetter wk
Woakes
Shahzad
Harris
Briggs

12th Topley

If we are comparing Rashid to Briggs here are the county championship stats for Div 1.

Rashid - 246.2 overs, 28 Wickets at 33.78
Briggs - 213.2 overs, 19 Wickets at 37.47

The best spinners has been the golden oldy Keedy but I cant see England go to him in the winter Sun Cont tours but then again they did pick Udal?

Onions (when fully fit) is ahead of Shahzad and, probably, Dernbach in the pecking order IMHO

Explaining my team more. First team picks itself almost. In the second team, or Lions team, I have filled it mainly with the hotbed of youngsters we have. Get them in there and Acclimattlised to different cultures erc on tours. Bresnan is more one day for me and though Onions is good, he is injury prone and 29. He misses out because of talented, younger options. Bopars is another Hick or Ramprakash. Broad is at the same level as Cook was last summer. He needs a big end to the Sri Lanka series. Once he reaches that level, he will be immense.

shankythebiggestenglandfan CMS might be more populated but the format of the site is unapealling. I'm hoping in time this site will be more popular..

Yep - patience is the key here I think hopefor - the rugby site is absolutely dead - they are the only 2 i go on - Im definately persevering

I'm on both.
CMS does get easier but having two sites is perfect

When fit I believe Bresnan is a must for the team. In Oz the combination of Anderson, Tremlett and Bresnan ticked all the boxes. I cannot remember him having a really poor game in an England shirt.

Yep - patience is the key here I think hopefor - the rugby site is absolutely dead - they are the only 2 i go on - Im definately persevering

-------------------------

That's because Rugby is boring

Perhaps the rugby site will pick up when the world cup begins but this site had terrible teething problems and many may not know its back in business.

Haha Ginge - if youre not careful - i may start writing soccer articles again and we all know how much sense comes from that.

I think that the format of this site will eventually prove too strong and it will get busier

I think that the format of this site will eventually prove too strong and it will get busier

-----------------------

Hopefully, yes.

So Bresnan over Broad hopefor?????

Yes, it's Anderson, Bresnan with one of Broad, Onions and Tremlett / Finn. I like Finn but he's still learning his craft.
Broad worries me. He was accused in the past of not knowing what type of bowler he wants be, I think he still hasn't made up his mind.

After the retirement of Flintoff, England had only Anderson, Broad, Onions and Sidebottom to choose from so their task was easy. I think the arrival of all these other prospects hasn't made their task easier but more difficult.

hope
I thought you were a big Shahzad fan?

1st

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Morgan
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Anderson
Tremlett

2nd

Chopra
Hales
Taylor
Hildreth
Bopara
Patel
Kieswetter
Broad
Onions
Panesar
Finn

3rd

Carberry
Lyth
Hamilton-Brown
Gale
Bairstow
Stokes
Davies
Rashid
Shahzad
Harris
Dernbach

ginger, I am a Shahzad fan but he seems to be struggling with his form at present. He is also in competition with Onions who has been pretty good on his return from injury.
I must admit I'm not sure what our best line up would be, except the three tall bowler combination again is a no,no.
I think I would go for Anderson, Broad and Bresnan when all are fit.

I'm not sure about Broad but the only consistent bowler we do have is Anderson. Tremlett has done well albeit for only a few tests and Bresnan bowled superbly in Aus.
These would be my three at present.